YouTube Videos Of Old And New Styles Of Ndombolo Dance (From Democratic Republic Of The Congo)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- Sept. 9, 2022

This pancocojams post presents information about the Congolese dance called "Ndombolo" and showcases several YouTube videos of old and new styles of Ndombolo dance. 

A few discussion thread comments are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks also to all those who are quoted in this posts. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT NDOMBOLO
From https://www.mattersmusical.com/artists/bantu-african-acrobatic-group/ Bantu African Acrobatic Group's Bio
..."Soukous, another name for African rumba, is a genre of music that emerged in the Congo in the 1930s and 1940s. The name is derived from the French word secouer, meaning to shake. In the mid 1990s soukous evolved a new style called `Ndombolo’ – interspersing shouts with bursts of vocal melody and harmony over fast and powerful drumming."...

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From https://www.facebook.com/Pjafromusic/photos/a.313635222106403/331088487027743/?type=1&theater
"Papa Joze, September 7, 2013 ·

Ndombolo Dance

Ndombolo is a style of dance that is foundational to Congolese popular urban dancing. Characterized by moving one’s pelvis in a circular motion, occasionally thrusting the hips with the help of the bent knees, the ndombolo has become widespread not only across the DRC, but across Africa as well. In fact, many Africans refer to Congolese music as ndombolo. In countries like Cameroon, ndombolo dancing has been banned by the government for being too vulgar or obscene . 

While the origins of this dance are unknown by many Rhumba fans, there is an urban mythology surrounding it. If you ask Street Kids in Kishasa they will tell you it was created to mimic the way Kabila, the president who overthrew Mobutu, walked as he limped into the country from the Eastern forest region supported by Banyamulenge ( people who live in the moutains) Force. 

The older generation will tell you that the ndombolo imitates apes and monkeys, still others insist that the word ndombolo is derived from the Hindoubill word for marijuana, which they claim that makes one’s body go wild with movement. When I spoke to one Old man from Mbandaka North of Congo he made me to subscribe to the ape ( gorilla or chimpanzee) theory , he pointed out that the word itself describes how apes , monkeys or baboons walk ie with pomposity and boastful( kukanyaira , mukanya) if I would describe it the Zimbabwean way. When Kabila advanced from eastern congo , the Banyamulenge Force could have used the ape tactic . Chest out and appear big to intimidate the opponent you may win the battle without any fight.

NB this is a post to shed light on the origins of ndomolo dance and the word itself, hence I don't intend to invite political comments about Congo . However anyone with a different mythology is free to contribute."...
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I reformatted this excerpt to enhance its readability.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO:
Video #1: JB MPIANA BAZO KOKA TE1



zible399, Sep 6, 2009

NDOMBOLO

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Video #2: LACOSTE DALWEAR - Tourbillon (Ndombolo Freestyle)



YA LEVIS DALWEAR MUSIC, Dec 31, 2016

Artiste : LACOSTE DALWEAR
Titre :Tourbillon (Ndombolo Freestyle)
Compositeur : Ya Levis / Lacoste Dalwear
Concepteur de la danse : Lacoste Dalwear

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Video #3: Fally Ipupa - Ecole (Clip officiel)



Fally Ipupa, Jul 25, 2018
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Here's a few comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only):
1. STANLEY N MUZAMU, 2018
"Fally i loved you the first day i saw u dancing and singing for Koffi Olomide..u were soo good and now are even dangerious with this new dance..loved by me all the way frm Namibia/Zim"

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2. Jane Kimuli, 2019
"You gotta have stamina to dance to these songs. No song is under 7mins. And the beat keeps changing. Not for the weak in the waist. 🤣🤣🤣"

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REPLY
3. Jessica Monka, 2019
"Waist and legs for real 😂😂😂"

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REPLY
4. Jeannot Mwangala, 2019
"Aahaha i can feel for u but as for us Congolese we're used to this at least this one very reasonable with their dance moves. We've seen more than this lol. Anyway enjoy😁👍"

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5. Josiane, 2019
"Jeannot Mwangala exactly 😂😂😂😂😭😭😭, especially werrason back in the day. His songs used to be so long with very complex movements but somehow everyone knew how to dance it lmaooo!"

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REPLY
6. David Mkwizu, 2019
"Huuh.. stuff gets more serious in every new change of beat.. No rest.. Damn.. 😅"

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Video #4: BM - Bi Landa Landa Feat. Robinio Mundibu (Official Video)

BM Official, Jun 3, 2019

Enjoy the new sound of congo with BM teaming up with Robinio Mundibu to form Bi Landa Landa. Dance along and send us your videos. Thew new generation sound of Congo where two artists join to form something special. Video directed by Kunai Lester (Montecarlodream) & BM. Uganda scenes directed by Martin Beta. This song is produced by BM and instruments played by Rarity Music from London.

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Video #5: Koffi Olomide - Papa Ngwasuma (Clip Officiel)



Koffi OLOMIDE, Premiered Aug 10, 2019
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Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
skolomania 242, 2019
"franchement koffi olomide malgré son âge il surprend toujours les gens avec des chansons formidables😍
il a fait danser nos parents maintenant il nous fait danser avec nos enfants.
son talent est donc interminable ?😂
cette chanson est sucrée 😂"
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Google translate from French to English:
"frankly koffi olomide despite his age he always surprises people with great songs😍
he made our parents dance now he makes us dance with our children.
so his talent is endless? 😂
this song is sweet 😂"

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